An effective remedy for toenail fungus can only be with the correct selection of ingredients that affect the causative agent of the disease.Nail fungi (mycosis and onychomycosis) are destructive changes in the appearance and structure of the nail plate, sometimes spreading to the skin of the feet.The cause of this phenomenon is always more than 10 types of dermatophytes, yeast-like fungi (Candida) and molds.To choose one of the fungal medicines available in the pharmacy, you need to know which pathogen caused the damage to the nails, and this can only be studied in the laboratory.
Self-treatment, including folk remedies, is a very long process, lasting several months, but most often it does not lead to a cure, but to the temporary removal of visible symptoms from the surface of the nail.The fungus itself, the cause of the pathology, then grows again, affecting the nail plates and the skin around them.In order to shorten the treatment time and get a permanent result, it is wiser to contact a mycologist, a specialist in the treatment of all types of nail fungus.After a laboratory examination of the particle of the affected nail, the doctor will determine the type of fungus and prescribe an antimycotic drug whose pharmacological action is aimed at suppressing the existing pathogen.
All offered medicines differ in their method of use and composition.Means for combating different types of fungi - antifungals - are available in affordable and convenient dosage forms.Active ingredients can be presented in the composition for external use (lacquer, ointment, cream, gel) or orally (tablets, capsules).Liquid types - solutions, sprays - are also widely available on the pharmaceutical market.
Often, the mycologist prescribes complex therapy, using external drugs in the treatment program, the effect of which is enhanced by taking tablets and capsules.Also, the treatment program, depending on the area of the fungal infection, may include a sterile medical pedicure.A systematic, comprehensive approach is always indicated for extensive nail lesions.
All drugs, without exception, are divided into three categories, according to the spectrum of action:
- Azoles
Compounds that have a fungistatic effect (stop the growth of colonies) destroy the pathogen in a high concentration of the active substance (fungicidal action).Active against most fungi, including candida.
Examples – fluconazole, miconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, clotrimazole.
- Allilamines
Effective for lesions up to 50% of the nail surface, for the treatment of manifestations on the skin of the feet, can be used daily, works against mold, candida, dermatophytes.
Examples - terbinafine hydrochloride, naftifine,
- Morpholines
They suppress all known types of nail fungus, quickly penetrate the nail plate, but act more slowly than other substances;the course of treatment can last up to six months.
Examples - Amorolfin, Chlornitrofenol.
All medicines based on the mentioned compounds are available in dosage forms for local, oral and infusion use.
Antifungal preparations for external use
This category includes products that are applied directly to the affected nail itself or the skin around it - these are ointments, creams, as well as suitable varnishes for the treatment of toenail fungus.All medicines have their advantages, but also disadvantages, which are most often manifested in a certain discomfort from the use of formulations with a creamy consistency.The price of products in the form of varnishes is higher than antifungal creams and ointments, but if there are different types in the pharmacy, the price of antifungal agents is not the main selection criterion.The spectrum of action of the drug and the speed of removal of nail fungus are important.
The slow drying and absorption of creams and ointments is not as convenient as varnishes, with the fact that most of the time is spent in shoes every day, and the feet sweat, which can slow down the healing process.On the contrary, varnishes dry very quickly on the surface of the nail plate, without causing discomfort during the day.
Anti-fungal creams
It cannot be said with certainty that gels, ointments and creams against various types of fungi do not work as effectively as varnishes - how effective the drugs will be depends on the degree of damage and the discipline of the patient in treating the disease.However, many cream products do not contain excipients that facilitate the rapid penetration of the composition deep into the hard horny plates of the nails.
Advantages of creams, ointments, gels against fungi:
- Does not irritate the skin of the feet.
- Destroy pathology on the nails themselves and on the skin around them.
- Convenient sets for use (with nail file, scraper).
- Wide range of action, active against all types of pathogens.
- All categories are represented - azoles, allylamines and morpholines.
- Low cost of medicines.
Azoles
Imidazole derivatives – Clotrimazole, Econazole, Ketoconazole, Miconazole, Ketoconazole.
Triazole derivatives:
- fluconazoles;
- itraconazole.
Allilamines
Types of products based on the active substance terbinafine
Naftifin and its derivatives.
Amorpholines
Toenail fungus medications with the active ingredient amorolfine resist a wide range of pathogens, including candida.
Other drugs - sertaconazole, clotrimazole, salicylic, sulfur, zinc ointment.
Lacquers for nail fungus
They are used in the initial stages of mycosis, when the nail is affected on no more than 2/3 of the total surface.If the fungus has already penetrated deep into the nail tissue, you will first have to remove the upper layers and only then use the medicine.After cutting the affected areas, it will have to be repeated, according to the data provided in the description.
Advantages of anti-fungal varnishes:
- Durability - the applied coating lasts up to several days.
- Comfort of use - products do not stain clothes and dry quickly.
- High activity components - quickly penetrate the surface of the affected nail through microcracks.
- Wide range of action - they are used against various types of pathogens, they have fungistatic and fungicidal action.
- Convenience - the set contains the varnish itself, as well as additional tools necessary for use: files, sponges.
- A large selection of various products.
Sprays and solutions for the treatment and disinfection of fungi
With similar properties to creams and varnishes, manufacturers of antifungal products offer a wide range of sprays and solutions.Their use makes sense in the initial stages of pathology development.The liquid form of antifungal agents allows the composition to penetrate into the most difficult-to-reach places, fills micropores, cracks, folds of the skin, and also has an antimicrobial, antiseptic effect and acts as a medicine with fungistatic functionality.Also, sprays and solutions dry out the skin on the legs and the horny plate of the nail, creating an unfavorable environment for the pathogen.
Each product presented in liquid form, as a solution or spray, depending on belonging to the group of active substances, acts against fungal nail infections, as well as in the form of disease prevention, disinfection of personal hygiene items, clothes and shoes.In addition, liquid forms are suitable for use in treating the skin of the feet.
Miconazole, Fluconazole, Terbinafine hydrochloride, Bifonazole, Clotrimazole.
Tablets against nail fungus
Systemic mycosis with deep lesions, when the nail fungus spreads to the entire surface and depth of the stratum corneum, as well as epidermicosis and candidiasis, often require complex therapy, with the simultaneous use of tablets and local preparations.For the treatment of fungal nail infections, in addition to antimycotics, antibiotics, iodine and ammonium salt preparations are also used.
Antimycotics – Itraconazole, Fluconazole, Terbinafine.
Antibiotics - Griseofulvin, Levorin, Natamycin, drugs from the nystatin group, any drug based on Amphotericin.
Preparations for the treatment of fungi for pregnant and lactating women
The choice of drugs for fungi at any stage of pregnancy is the sole prerogative of the doctor.An independent approach to determining the type of fungus and treating the lesions may turn out to be wrong, which will at least delay time and allow the colonies to penetrate deep into the nail, and in some cases cause an unwanted reaction.The sooner you discover the pathology on the feet and on the horny plates of the nails and consult a mycologist, the better, better and safer the treatment and results will be.
It is preferable to choose a drug for external use, and in situations where the disease has already reached the systemic stage, with deep penetration of the fungus into the structure of the nail, it is worth discussing the procedure for its complete removal by surgery.
There are no guaranteed safe synthetic substances that destroy fungi without any risk of harming the successful course of pregnancy and the fetus.Even the relative safety of traditional methods can cause an allergic reaction to the natural component, or burns of the skin around the nail (when using vinegar, iodine, etc.)
Undecylenic acid + zinc undecylenate is a combined drug, prescribed in the presence of strict indications, signs of hypersensitivity may occur.
Bifonazol - except in the first trimester, in the second and third according to strict indications there is a risk of allergic reactions.